Geochemistry Analysis of Groundwater in Jaipur Industrial Area, Rajasthan (India)

The importance of ground water for the existence of human society cannot be overemphasized. Requirement of water has been rising in the urban agglomerates due to population explosion and growth in commercial activities along with social needs and comfort resulting in crumbling of existing systems of water supply and sanitation. Ground Water is the major source of drinking water in both urban and rural area. Besides, it is a most important source of water for the agriculture and the industrial sector. In Jaipur urban agglomerate, surface water sources like Ramgarh Lake are generally empty and groundwater contributes over 95% of urban water supply. Present aerial dimension of the urban area lies between north latitudes 27ᵒ 18ʼ and east Longitude: 95ᵒ 24ʼ located almost in the centre of the district and cover an area about 470 km2 . The Jaipur urban area occupies in part of Sanganer ((45.5 %), Jhothwara (42.5 %) and Amer (12%) blocks of Jaipur district. With the increase in rate of urbanization, population of the city has also increased many folds i.e. about 16 times during the period 1931 – 2006. Old walled city area is the most populated part has mainly contributed high salinity and nitrate pollution in groundwater. Ground water is important source of water supply due to its relatively low susceptibility to pollution in comparison to surface water. Polluted ground water adversely affects the human health as well as environment. The risk of human health by heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni and Cr) through the intake of locally grown vegetables, cereal crops and milk from wastewater irrigated site. Milk is not directly contaminated due to wastewater irrigation, but is an important route of food chain transfer of heavy metals from grass to animals. Ground water samples were collected from different hand pumps, tube well, house tape water, public tap water etc. to study the chemical parameter, such as pH, EC, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Carbonate, Bicarbonate, Sulphate, and Chloride, with the help of standard method of APHA. Analysis of water for physical, biological and chemical properties including trace element contents are very important for public health studies.